In Montana

Greeting from Christmas wonderland! There is snow, more snow, and lots more snow here, plus icicles hanging from eaves and ice under foot. Incredibly beautiful landscapes surround us, while the local deer add to our enjoyment of the scene.

We began our journey here on Sunday morning, hoping to arrive before the impending death of our son-in-law's mother, but she passed away while we were enroute. I'm so glad she didn't continue to struggle for breath throughout the day. In mid-September (while we here for a visit), she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, stage 4, and given less than a year to live. In the end of September, while Larry was in the hospital, the doctor informed her that she probably had only 2-3 months left to live. In mid-November, that prognosis was upped to only two weeks or less. I began praying that God would take her "home" during the Thanksgiving weekend, before the famly gathering ended, so that her oldest son's family wouldn't have to leave before her time on earth was over. (I'm sure many others were also praying that way.) God graciously answered those prayers, and took her home on Sunday morning. What a way for her to spend Sunday--truly in the House of the Lord!

The memorial service is on Saturday. Our son will arrive on Friday. Our plans are up in the air right now, since Larry doesn't have a job to return to. We will leave here on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

You know the old saying: "When it rains, it pours!" That's how it feels for all of us right now. Fortunately, God's blessings are also being poured out for us, and we will continue to trust and rest in His goodness. Thanks for your prayers!

Two Months

Today marks exactly eight weeks since Larry's heart surgery. He is continuing to do really well!

• His cholesterol level is now done to 118 (previously over 200).


• He is no longer anemic.


• His heart rate is normal and stable.


• His incisions have healed up just fine.


• He now longer has the chills.


• He now longer tires quickly with any exertion of energy.


• Most of his medications have been eliminated or cut in half.

In addition to that, we now have medical insurance with coverage retroactive to September 1st (prior to these enormous medical expenses). This is all in answer to prayer, by you and us, and many others who will probably never read this blog. We thank you and we thank God, more than words can express!

Please continue to pray for employment, just the right job, in just the right place, at just the right time -- all in God's perfect plan. Thanks!

Oh, by the way, Larry is outside working in the yard -- raking and blowing leaves. He is well and we are truly thankfulfor his new lease on life!

Giving Thanks

My "quiet time" reading yesterday:

"We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because You are near.
People everywhere tell of your mighty miracles.

As for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;
I will sing praises to the God of Israel.

You are glorious and more majestic
than the everlasting mountains.

I recall all You have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
[and of the present]They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about them.

O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as You?
You are the God of miracles and wonders!"

(From Psalm 75:1,9; 76:4; 77:11-13)

We are giving thanks today for many wonderful things God has done in our lives -- too many to list. Mostly, we are thankful that we belong to Him, and that we have the assurance that our lives are held in His mighty, protective, loving han

Waiting for . . .

Waiting for dinner? Waiting for fun and games?

This is our neighbor's cat (Razzi) whom we "cat-sit" for occasionally. She provides us with hours of entertainment by trying to catch birds and squirrels in our yard. Here she is sitting on top of my squirrel feeder. She could be waiting for either a bird or a squirrel, since they both use this feeder. I've watched her climb the trees many times, and I've seen her poke her head into this squirrel feeder, but this was the first time to see her just perched here waiting! Apparently, she liked this viewpoint.

We are still waiting on the confirmation of health insurance to cover Larry's medical bills from his recent heart surgery, plus still waiting for the right job to come along for him. There have been phone calls to indicate that our insurance situation is finally being worked out. Twice, in the last week, we have been told that the application was approved, which would provide continuous coverage since September 1st (when he lost his job and insurance coverage), but we are still waiting for something to arrive in the mail that will confirm it all in writing.

The good news we've had is that Larry is returning to really good health! His cholesterol level is now down to 118 (previously was over 200). In the hospital they told him they wanted his cholesterol level under 130. Also, he is no longer anemic. So, now his doctor has cut his cholesterol pill dosage in half, has cut his blood pressure pill dosage in half, has discontinued his pill to keep his heart rate stable, and has discontinued his iron and vitamin C (needed to go with iron). Yea!!! All thanks to God!

Waiting and Trusting

How I wish I had something new to post, but there is nothing new here.

• Larry is continuing to do very well in his recovery process.


• We still have uncertainty regarding insurance coverage. Maybe this week we'll hear . . .


• No good job prospects yet.

We continue to wait on the Lord. In the meantime, we are tired of this waiting period, but continue to trust that God has a good plan for us, and that He will reveal it to us at the right time, according to His knowledge of what's best for us.

Waiting for a very long time on what seems really important to us can be very disheartening. Our lives have been full of uncertainty for almost a year and a half now: first regarding Larry's job situation, next his state of health, and then lack of insurance coverage. However, we have seen God at work in our lives during this time period, and that's really what counts. We want God to develop in us whatever He wants to be seen in us, and we desire to be used by Him in such a way that He gets all the glory and honor. That's really what it's all about -- to be used by Him in whatever circumstances He chooses to place us in or to allow us to go through. It's not easy, but it teaches us to trust Him completely.

We don't know about tomorrow, but we know Who holds our hand.

Come here my little pretties...

hee hee hee Why should the kids have all the fun?
There's a little kid inside of me who grew up in the days before Halloween was frowned on. And, that kid (though now in an adult-size body) still likes to have fun with all the other kids who enjoy the fun tradition of Halloween.

For us, Halloween is just a fun night that focuses on the giving and getting of treats, while all dressed up in costumes. That's all there is to it for us, and we want the neighborhood kids to know that we enjoy them!

Happy Halloween, kiddos!

A Very Good Day!

Today was a day of celebration for us -- a day to celebrate Larry's recovery--at its half-way point.

Larry fixed our breakfast and our dinner. Actually, I think he got tired of waiting for me to fix breakfast, so he did it--a nice change of pace for me. Dinner....well, he was being a very nice husband to his tired wife who had spent a few hours working in the yard, raking leaves and mowing the lawn. Okay, so I'll be honest and proudly admit he also worked in the yard this afternoon, blowing and raking leaves. It was a beautiful day to spend our time outside during the afternoon!

Then, as we sat down to eat dinner, we were treated to a beautiful display in the sky--a mesmerizing sunset that could not be ignored! I had to go out onto the deck twice during dinner to get a full-size view of the magnificent artwork. It seemed as if God Himself had just decided to paint an incredible picture for us to enjoy while we dined.This is only a birds-eye view of what we saw! The beauty spread across the sky as far as we could see in any direction. God's handiwork is truly amazing! The skies declare the glory of God..."

One More Milestone

Today Larry drove a car for the first time since September 27th. (After his open-heart surgery he was restricted from driving for four weeks.) Today he feels like he has been set free! So, I guess yesterday was the last time I will need to drive him whereever he goes. He is beginning to act so "normal", it's hard to believe that he really did have quintuple by-pass surgery just a month ago. We are so thankful for the good recovery he has experienced. Just one more month to go, and he will no longer have a "broken heart".

Now he is hard at work once again--looking for a new job, plus still working on the insurance predicament. We've had some hopeful news in that situation, and are waiting on the outcome of submitting an application for health insurance through the state of Oregon. If we read the small print correctly, we may have coverage that covers all of his medical bills. Pray, pray, pray (please).

We are still going for a walk everyday, and eating really good, nutritious meals. We are both enjoying that. I have to keep reminding myself: This is not a temporary diet--it's a new lifestyle, and we need to stick with it. I'm beginning to learn to make up good-tasting food from scratch--just using my imagination and tastebuds. It's only a simple beginning, but

Each Day is a Gift From God!

Larry received a birthday card today from his sister. The message was great! So, once again, I just have to share it:

Each Day is a Gift from God

He has given us morning,
brightness, and sun,
Laughter to share,
and work to be done.

He has given us rainbows,
flowers, and song,
And the hands
of our dear ones
to help us along.

He has given us prayer,
with its wonderful power
To lighten our hearts
in a troublesome hour.

He has given us blessings
to brighten our way,
And always--the gift
of another new day.

This is the day which the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

A special birthday prayer that God will fill all your days with love, blessings, and the happiness you so deeply deserve. Have a wonderful birthday!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love you, Honey!
Happy Birthday...and many more!

God Has Uniquely Called Each One of Us

The following message came to me as an emailed advertisement for DaySpring Cards. I can't believe this was written for an advertisement! I am not trying to put in a sales plug for DaySpring cards, but this was so good, I just had to keep it, as a reminder to me that God has uniquely called me to serve Him right where He has placed me.

God has called each of us to serve Him in the place He has us. In His eyes we all have a ministry. Many serve Him in a local church through a variety of ministries, such as music, teaching, youth work, or by being a part of the church staff. Others serve on the mission field, on the job, at school, or at home.

God knows you and He knows your heart desires to serve Him. You are someone that He will use to make a difference, to share His love and to touch the hearts of others. What has qualified you for this high privilege of being used by Him? Is it your talents, your personality, your education, your influence, or your resume? It is none of these; rather, it is the response of your heart toward Him. God is always searching for those whose hearts are yielded to Him so that He can work mightily through them.

Sometimes we can be led to think that God’s work is dependent upon us, upon what we do, and upon what we know. The truth is that God wants us to be totally dependent upon Him, He is the Treasure, we are the vessels; He is the Vine, we are the branches; He is the Living Water, we are the channels through which He flows.

The apostle Peter was someone who needed to learn this important truth. Jesus taught him the futility of trying to get results through his own efforts by allowing him, an expert fisherman, to labor all night and come up empty. Afterward, when He followed Jesus’ word to cast out into the deep, Peter pulled in a catch that was beyond his dreams.

As His servant, remember that your ministry is His idea and not yours. He is the One who knows you, who has called you, and who has equipped you to serve Him. Remain true, remain faithful, remain restful, and remain totally dependent upon Him.

God is not looking for those who are clever, but for those in whom He can be wise; He is not looking for those who are talented, but those to whom He can be all-sufficient. He is not looking for those who are powerful, but for those through whom He can be almighty.

It is my prayer that God will encourage you today as you faithfully serve Him, and that He will use you to bring encouragement to others in a special way.

Written by Roy Lessin, Co-Founder DaySpring Cards

Time to Think

Unable to fall asleep! Just too many thoughts swirling around in my head! So, here I am--sitting on the sofa in the family room, all by myself, in a very quiet house. First, I spent some time reading the Bible, concentrating on the good stuff found therein--a very worthwhile use of time like this! Now my thoughts are beginning to spread in various directions.

The World of the Hospital
It's a whole different world in the hospital! There are people there from all different walks of life, under all different circumstances. Some are troubled over what will happen next; some are grieving over what has just happened; some are rejoicing over the arrival of a new baby; some are there just to comfort someone else; some are totally bewildered about the whole scene! However, over the course of a week spent there, you become quite familiar with the scene, and you get used to the routine of your reason for being there. Plus, many faces become quite familiar -- you become a family. Sometimes you greet one another cheerfully. Sometimes you just can't manage another smile. Sometimes you are in tears and wish you could just hide away and cry for awhile in private. Sometimes you feel like helping everyone you see who needs a friend. Sometimes you wish someone would notice that you are the one who needs a friend. Sometimes you are so lost in deep thought that you hardly notice anyone else. Sometimes you just can't believe what is happening to you and someone you love. But, one thing undeniable I noticed: Everyone seems to understand that you're all in this different world together.

Caretaker or Caregiver?
Soon after Larry came home from the hospital, I announced (in this blog) that I would be busy with my new job as "full-time nurse and caretaker". Ever since then, I've been thinking about the difference between a "care-taker" and care-giver". Which is which? When I discussed this with Larry he said that in our situation I am the care-giver and he is the care-taker. In other words, I am giving care to him and he is taking care from me. Yet, I truly have been thriving on giving care to him, and that, in turn, has been giving care to me too! Well, I will admit--I do get just a little weary now and then (like this morning--I slept on the couch until 11:00 A.M.!), but mostly I enjoy taking care of him. So, I guess that makes me a care-taker -- or am I care-giver? Perhaps I am both. Perhaps both are the same!

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away -- Blessed be the name of the Lord!
On August 24th Larry lost his job. On (or about) September 27th Larry lost his health. On September 28th Larry lost his health insurance. (His former employer went bankrupt, and since the company was self-insured, the insurance coverage ended--period--no "ifs", "ands", or "buts" about it!) What's next to lose? Certainly not our faith in God! God has a purpose in all of this. He has never failed us, and He never will. He is forever faithful! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Now I am going back to bed.

Breaking News

The Energizer Buuny has been arrested and charged with battery!

Worth a Thousand Words?

In LESS than a thousand words, what does this picture say to you?

See that one droopy blossom? That's how both of us felt when we found out that our insurance coverage ended the very day Larry's in-patient hospitalization began. Yet, just look at those adorable little pets resting peacefully, oblivious to fire burning nearby, or the withering flowers. That's how I want to be--fully assured of God's awareness of our difficult situation, and His ability to see us through anything.

Another Milepost

Today marks one week since Larry came home from the hospital. He's making great progress in his recovery!

On Sunday I took him to the mall to start walking. We have done that every day since then, and have increased the distance a little each day. Yesterday we walked the complete distance roundtrip, including all of the corridors--long and short, plus climbing the stairs to the upper floor (equivalent to two sets of stairs in a house). Yea! It takes half an hour to cover that much territory.

We are eating good, healthy meals (three per day) everyday. He seldom sleeps during the day anymore, and sits up mosts of the time. After meals he helps clear the table and rinse the dishes. He gets up frequently to do little laps throughout the house, plus goes to the mailbox a couple of times each day. (No, he isn't checking for mail twice a day. In the morning he goes out to deposit mail in the box, and in the afternoon he goes out to get the mail.) He spends time on the computer throughout the day. He gets on the eliptical trainer machine once or twice a day, for a minute or two each time.

About the only thing he needs assistance with now is straightening his shirt down the back side after putting it on. It's wonderful to see such a noticeable improvement in just one week at home!